Ariel Mack, Palouse Roots Coordinator
In many ways my childhood shaped who I am today. I was fortunate to attend all twelve years of elementary education at the largest Waldorf school on the east coast surrounded by a thriving Waldorf community that includes a Waldorf teacher-training center, a self-sufficient fellowship community with biodynamic farms, and a Camphill community. Throughout my career I have nurtured my love of art, design, and architecture, social and environmental policy, indigenous sovereignty, and early childhood education. I have designed museum exhibits and residential and commercial buildings, worked globally doing indigenous sovereignty and environmental policy work, and I have taught children. My teaching experience ranges from working with autistic children, traditional early education settings, Waldorf-inspired outdoor education both as an art director and separately at a Waldorf forest school, and helping run a Montessori/Waldorf/Nature school, and homeschooling my own children. I am overjoyed to learn that not only does the Palouse Roots Program share my passion for early childhood outdoor experiences, but it also has a Waldorf influence. I look forward to being part of this community. Warmly, Ariel.